KATHMANDU: The National Food Laboratory (NFL) was inaugurated in Raxaul, Bihar on Sunday by Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

The inauguration took place in the presence of Nepal’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mahendra Rai Yadav.

The NFL at Raxaul, established by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is a modern facility equipped with advanced facilities and infrastructure for testing of food samples entering India.

It will support enhanced bilateral trade between India and Nepal by reducing the time taken for testing samples of food and agricultural exports of Nepal which currently need to be sent to Delhi or Kolkata for testing.

The creation of an upgraded laboratory at Raxaul was a longstanding request of Nepal’s exporters which now stands fulfilled.

The NFL is yet another reflection of India’s commitment to improve connectivity, trade and border infrastructure with Nepal as part of its “Neighbourhood First” policy.